Getting Pregnant Tips

Helping You Conceive

Fertility Drugs: The
Most Common Drugs to Help You Get Pregnant

If
you have an ovulation disorder, fertility drugs may be necessary to
help you conceive. Fertility drugs are not in vitro
fertilization—they won't make you pregnant. You should still follow
other tips, such as leading a healthy lifestyle, to maximize your
chances of getting pregnant. So, here's a list of the most common
fertility drugs that your doctor may prescribe to you.

Clomid or Serophene

Clomid is the most popularly
prescribed infertility treatment. It's been around for over 25
years, so doctors know that it works well and has low risks.
Serophene and Clomid are both brand names for clomiphene. These
drugs are called anti-estrogen. In order to get the ovaries
producing eggs they cause the brain to release hormones. The
pituitary gland will release both LH and FSH. The hypothalamus will
release GnRH.

These drugs are good for women who are
trying to get pregnant naturally or who are artificial insemination
or assisted reproductive techniques.

Clomiphene is not intended for long
term use. If you aren't pregnant within six months, most doctors
will want to try a different medication. Clomid and Serophene will
help 60%-80% of women ovulate regularly. Around 50% will become
pregnant.

Injectable Hormones

When Clomid is
unsuccessful, many doctors will suggest injectable hormones as the
next treatment to try to regulate ovulation. Here are the most
common types of injectable hormones used.

Human
Menopausal Gonadotropin (hMG) combines both LH and FSH and
includes the medications Repronex, Pergonal, and Metrodin.

These drugs may be injected either
into the muscle or beneath the skin. Your doctor will decide on both
the dose and where the injections should be given. The injections
last anywhere from 7 -12 days.

These hormones have a success rate
similar to clomiphene, with 50% who successfully ovulate becoming
pregnant.

Antagon

Like the hormones
listed above, Antagon (ganirelix acetate) is an injectable drug.
Rather than causing ovulation, it inhibits premature ovulation from
happening to women who are having fertility procedures.

If you are going
to see your doctor about taking a fertility drug, prepare a list of
questions before you go. Since your doctor is an expert, she or he
may not think of the questions that you may have. Having a list of
questions before you go can help you be prepared during the meeting.